People from Swindon who have lost loved ones to Covid-19 can honour them in a new national memorial.

A virtual book of remembrance has been set up by St Paul’s Cathedral in London, where anyone can pay tribute to a loved one with a picture and a few words. It will eventually become a permanent memorial.

Prince Charles is supporting the scheme and says allowing the bereaved to share the lives of their family member of friend with others would help us all.

From today, the name, photograph and a short message in honour of a deceased person can be uploaded to the Remember Me website. The deceased must have been living in the UK. 

Prince Charles, the Prince of Wales  said: “Together with the rest of the world, the people of the UK have experienced personally and in our community life, the shock of sudden change in response to the Covid-19 pandemic

“This virtual book of remembrance is here to help us remember, not just to recall our loss and sorrow but also to be thankful for everything good that those we have loved brought into our lives and all they have given to others.

“We give thanks for how our lives have been woven together with theirs. And through this book you are invited to share their lives with others, so that we and those who follow us can all remember what has been. And build together a better and more hopeful future.”

The Dean of St Paul’s Cathedral, the Very Reverend David Ison, said: “We are all experiencing the devastating impacts of COVID-19 across the country and beyond. 

"Remember Me is an opportunity to mourn every person we have lost to the effects of this terrible disease, an encouragement to offer compassion and support to those left behind, and an ongoing recognition of the impact of the pandemic on the UK.”

The virtual book of remembrance is at rememberme2020.uk